Lamarck vs.

Darwin
Introduction to change in
organisms

p. 66-69
What is a theory?
The most probable
explanation for a large
set of data based on the
best available evidence
Summarizes a hypothesis
or group of hypotheses
that have been supported
with repeated testing
What is a species?
What is a population?
Species group of a single
type of organisms that
interbreed and are
reproductively isolated
White-tailed deer
Population refers to a
group of organisms of a
particular species living in a
certain area.
White-tailed deer on Mt. Nebo
Lamarcks Theory
Jean Baptiste Lamarck: 1800s
Believed:
Change Occurs Over Time
inheritance of acquired
characteristics
acquired changes were passed to
offspring
Law of Use and Disuse
If a body part were used, it got
stronger
If body part NOT used, it
deteriorated
Examples: Body builders or pierced
ears
Lamarcks Theory of Evolution
Giraffes all had SHORT
necks originally
Giraffes Necks got
LONGER from stretching
for food
Acquired trait (long
necks) then passed to
offspring
Giraffe population
became long-necked
 Lamarcks Theory of Evolution
More examples
Traits Acquired During Ones Lifetime Would
Be Passed To Offspring
Clipped ears and tails of dogs could be passed to offspring!
Lamarcks Mistakes
Was he correct??
NO!
Traits are passed down from one
generation to the next by GENES, not by
an individuals life experiences or
activities
Lamarck did NOT know how traits were
inherited (Traits are passed through
genes)
Genes Are NOT Changed By Activities In
Life
Change Through Mutation Occurs Before
An Organism Is Born
Voyage of the Beagle
Charles Darwin
Born Feb. 12, 1809
Joined Crew of HMS
Beagle, 1831
Naturalist
5 Year Voyage around
world
Astounded By Variety of
Life
Voyage of the Beagle

During His Travels, Darwin Made

Numerous Observations And
Collected Evidence That Led Him
To Propose A Revolutionary
Hypothesis About The Way Life
Changes Over Time
Darwins Beliefs
Survivalof the fittest OR
natural selection
Food and resources are
limited
So organisms have to
COMPETE to get them
(lions fight for food,
space, mates )
OVER PRODUCE too many
organisms
Not all offspring will survive
only the MOST FIT (not
always the strongest!)
What happened to the
giraffes?
Survival of the fittest or natural
selection
Natural selection said the giraffes
with short necks had less food to eat
Why?
the food resources changed to leaves only
on the upper branches
What happened?
short necks could not reach upper branches
and did not survive (couldnt pass on genes)
Long neck giraffes survived & reproduced
because they were able to reach the food
 Evolution is
the slow, gradual
change in a
population of
organisms
over time

a looooooooong time!
 r e d o
Whe
e e th is
we s
cha n g e ?

When there is an unequal ability of

individuals to survive and reproduce
This leads to a gradual change in a

population with favorable characteristics

accumulating over generations
Most fit naturally selected

New species evolves

Natural Selection
How does Selection occur?
Selection of the most fit can occur
from several factors:
Variations exist among individuals in a
population
Competition for limited resources

Overpopulation

Predation/Disease
Example of Natural Selection
A classic example of natural selection
is the Peppered moths during
Industrial Revolution in Europe